Sharing Time: Sensing God's Creations

This sharing time will involve the children in an activity to help them learn about the beautiful world around them.

Preparation: On ten index cards write a sense word: SMELL, TASTE, TOUCH, HEAR, and SEE (two cards of each word). Place them face down on a table at the front of the room. Post the "sight" pictures somewhere in the room. Gather the other items needed for the sensory activities below.

Be familiar with the scripture Doctrine and Covenants 59:18-20:

Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;

Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.
And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man.

Presentation: Slowly read the scripture D&C 59:18-20. As you read, touch your eye, put your hand on your heart, mime eating, act out putting on clothes, point to your mouth and nose, and make a strong muscle with your arm (see bolded words).

Tell the children that they are going to discover some of the things God created for them by using their senses. Ask the children to name the senses (help them remember all five senses).

Point out the cards on the front table. Have a child come pick a card. Have them complete one of the sensory activities that matches the word they picked. Repeat until all the cards are used or time is up.

Smell: Blindfold the child and have them sniff as you hold something under their nose. Let them guess what it is. (Suggestions: orange, flower, or peanut butter.)

Taste: Blindfold the child and have them open their mouth and taste the item you give them. Let them guess what it is. (Suggestions: apple slice, popcorn, or chocolate.) You may wish to give each child a small portion of one of the items to taste at the end of the lesson.

Touch: Blindfold the child and have them feel an item that you place in their hands. Let them guess what it is. (Suggestions: cotton ball, pinecone, rock, or feather.)

Hear: Blindfold the child. Show the other children a picture of an animal and have them imitate the sound that animal makes. Let the blindfolded child guess what animal it is. (Suggestions: bird, cow, cat, or sheep.)

Sight: Describe something to the child and let them find a picture of it somewhere in the room. (Suggestions: sun, flowers, fish, or river.)

Bear your testimony that Heavenly Father loves us and created the world with many wonderful things in it for our families to use and enjoy.

Sing songs to reinforce the lesson such as, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," Children's Songbook 228; "I Think the World is Glorious," CS 230; "Two Little Eyes," CS 268; and "I Have Two Ears," CS 269.